Such statements are alarming, not only internationally but also locally, as misinformation in health can cause unnecessary fear and erode public trust in science. Photo: Shutterstock.comMy point, however, is that political leaders should never interfere in matters of science. The responsibility of reporting, interpreting and debating medical evidence must remain firmly in the hands of experts and academic institutions. We must not shy away from confronting our national past and present when discussing the dangers of political meddling in science. Only by acknowledging our own vulnerabilities can we strengthen our democratic accountability and ensure that medicine and science remain guided by evidence, not politics.